Ducks: Taste and Raising Questions

[Illia]

1. What does duck meat taste like?

I've only had culled Indian Runners, but it is a lot like some really rich dark meat. To me, it was sooo delicious!!

2. Do ducks require water, other than for drinking?

Yes. They need to take a bath and to swim on a regular basis.


Course, I've never and will never plan on having "meat" ducks, but I hear they're far messier and more demanding of food and water than other ducks.

 

[Wifezilla]

They can go without bathing water, but they will be much happier with it. A kiddie pool is fine, but I have a huge stock tank for mine. I will not have it up and running until spring though. I need a new pump.

 

[malignstar]

Perhaps it's all in the way they're raised but I tried Pekin duck last weekend (plain roasted breast meat) and as soon as it hit my tongue I almost threw up. First time THAT'S ever happened! It was sweet and gamey and tasted a bit like a pond smells. It was truly repulsive. I'll still raise some for the dogs though. The cats both love duck too.

 

[duckfat]

Quote:

 

[Buttercup Chillin]

I just have to reply. Muscovies - meat is rather like veal, provided you don't overcook it (then its more like liver), very lean. I love it, DH not so much, but then he doesn't like veal either. But his favorite sausage is homemade duck sausage. My favorite is teriaki duck legs.

I have learned - no food or water in the duck house, they don't need it 24/7 in there. But I do have it there for a hatch and the ducklings. They have their food - both feed and Scratch along with oyster shell all free choice outside by the faucet and water area. So the mess stays in that area. Mine have a small dog pool to play in , they don't want and won't use anything bigger, I wasted a bit of money on several deeper pools, wouldn't go near them. They were driving me crazy with the mess in the duck house and I almost got rid of them. Then someone said keep it all outside. That works here. Up north though you might have to give them feed and water inside when it storms.

Unlike most I give them scratch and they decided that they like about 50% scratch/feed, not necessarily on the same day. Additional greens when the pickings are few. The scratch firms up their droppings so its not splashed everywhere. Except when they have pea soup, then they are forgiven at any rate.

Hope this helps.